Spring assembly

ABSTRACT

A box spring assembly including a generally rectangular frame with a first plurality of spring members extending transversely between the sides of the frame and spaced from one another longitudinally of the frame. Each spring member is defined by an integral wire having a straight load section and a fishmouth section at each end thereof. The spring members are disposed in pairs overlapping one another transversely of the assembly. A border wire is disposed about transversely of the assembly. A border wire is disposed about the assembly and is spaced from the frame and attached to the fishmouth sections of the spring members. A second plurality of spring members are included which comprise at least one similar fishmouth section and disposed at the ends of the assembly between the frame and the border wire. There is also included a plurality of transversely spaced integral straight wires extending longitudinally of the assembly and terminating in bent end portions which are connected to the border wire.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Chester E. Kliclti Warren, Mich. [21] Appl. No. 837,685 [22] Filed June 30, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 3, 1971 [73] Assignee Lear Slegler, Inc.

Santa Monica, Calif.

[54] SPRING ASSEMBLY 11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[521 [1.8. CI 5/247, 5/381 [51] Int. Cl A476 23/02 [50] Field of Search 5/246, 247, 251, 255, 260; 267/80, 86, 106,107, 108, 104

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,528,125 3/1925 Morse 5/247 3,117,774 1/1964 lsaacs 5/246X 3,487,480 1/1970 Slominski 5/247 Primary Examiner.lames C. Mitchell An0rneyBarnard, McGlynn and Reising ABSTRACT: A box spring assembly including a generally rectangular frame with a first plurality of spring members extending transversely between the sides of the frame and spaced from one another longitudinally of the frame. Each spring member is defined by an integral wire having a straight load section and a fishmouth section at each end thereof. The spring members are disposed in pairs overlapping one another transversely of the assembly. A border wire is disposed about transversely of the assembly. A border wire is disposed about the assembly and is spaced from the frame and attached to the fishmouth sections of the spring members. A second plurality of spring members are included which comprise at least one similar fishmouth section and disposed at the ends of the assembly between the frame and the border wire. There is also included a plurality of transversely spaced integral straight wires extending longitudinally of the assembly and terminating in bent end portions which are connected to the border wire.

PATENTED AUG 3l97l 3,596,299

BY M ATTORNEY SPRING ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a box spring assembly including spring members defined by wire bent into various forms.

Wire bent into various forms to define spring members for use in box spring assemblies is not per se new. Generally speaking, such is shown to be old in U.S. Pat. Nos. 134,430 and 641,361. The US. Pat. to Carson 2,818,104 discloses an analogous assembly wherein wire strips crisscross one another and are bent into sinuous form with the periphery of the assembly including such sinuous strips forming V-shapes or fishmouths. That assembly, however, utilizes sinuous spring strips and the instant invention is directed to the utilization of spring elements which are known as formed wire elements. Such formed wire spring elements are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,866,311 and 2,829,880. A box spring assembly utilizing such formed wire elements is shown in the US. Pat. No. 3,286,281 to Slominski. The assembly in the Slominski patent utilizes a plurality of spring wire elements which have a straight load-bearing section with fishmouths at each end thereof and crisscrossing one another with the fishmouths disposed about the periphery of the assembly. As is well known, beds are made with varying different widths. As for example, there are twin beds, three-quarter size beds, double beds, etc. In order to fabricate box springs in accordance with the teachings of the Slominski patent, the spring members which extend tranversely across the assembly must be made of various different lengths in order to fabricate box spring assemblies of various different widths.

Accordingly, it is an object and feature of this invention to provide an improved box spring assembly utilizing individual spring wire members which are uniform in configuration but which may be associated together in different combinations and relationships to fabricate box springs assemblies of various different widths.

In correlation with the foregoing object and feature it is another object and feature of this invention to provide a box spring assembly comprising a frame having two pair of opposite and generally parallel extremities with a plurality of spring members each defined by an integral wire having a straight section and a fishmouth at at least one end thereof disposed between a first pair of the extremities of the frame with the straight sections being generally perpendicular to the pair of extremities and the spring members being spaced from one another in both the direction perpendicular to and the direction parallel to the first pair of extremities and including means interconnecting the spring members.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view taken substantially along 3-3 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fishmouth section embodied in each spring member utilized in the bed spring assembly of the instant invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a box spring assembly constructed in accordance with the instant invention is generally shown at 10 in FIG. 1.

The box spring assembly 10 includes a generally rectangular frame indicated at 12 and having two pair of opposite and generally parallel extremities as defined by the side members 14 and the end members 167 The frame also includes the transversely extending members 18 and the longitudinally extending member 20. All of the members of the frame are preferably made of wood as is well known in the art.

The assembly also includes a first plurality of spring members each of which is generally indicated at 22. Each of the spring members 22 is defined by an integral wire having a straight load-bearing section 24 and a fishmouth section disposed at each end thereof and generally indicated at 26.

Each fishmouth section includes a generally U-shaped portion 28 having upper and lower legs 30 and 32 and extending downwardly from the end of the straight portion 24. The upper leg 30 is shorter than the lower leg 32. Each fishmouth section also includes a V-shaped portion having a torsion bar 34 and upper and lower spacer bars 36 and 38 respectively extending from opposite ends of the torsion bar 34. The upper spacer bar 36 is connected to the lower leg 32 of the U-shaped portion 28. The wire extends from the lower spacer bar 38 and is formed into means comprising the lengths 40, 42 and 44.

A plurality of said spring members 22 are disposed between the first pair of extremities or sides 14 with the straight sections 24 thereof being generally perpendicular to the first pair of extremities or sides 14. The spring members 22 are spaced from one another in both the direction perpendicular to and the direction parallel to the first pair of extremities or side members 14 so that each straight section 24 extends a part of the distance between the side extremities or member 14.

Each of the straight sections 24 is generally in line with at least one other straight section. More specifically, the spring members 22 are disposed in overlapping pairs to overlap transversely of the frame so that a fishmouth section 26 of each spring member 22 is disposed adjacent one side or extremity of the frame with the other fishmouth section thereof disposed intermediate or between the sides 14 of the frame. In other words, each spring member 22 includes a fishmouth section 26 at each extremity thereof but only one such fishmouth section of each spring member is disposed along or above the extremity or side members 14 of the frame. A plurality of pairs of overlapping spring members are spaced from one another in the direction parallel to the first pair of extremities or side members 14 and between the second pair of extremities or end members 16. Each pair of overlapping wire members 22 are clipped together by clips 29.

There is also included a border wire generally indicated at 50 and spaced from the frame 12 and connected to the upper legs 30 of the fishmouth sections 26 disposed adjacent the extremities of the frame 12. The border wire is generally rectangular having arcuate corners and includes side and end sections with the end sections extending above and along the second pair of extremities or ends 16 of the frame 12.

There is included a second plurality of spring members generally indicated at 52 having at least one fishmouth section disposed between the end sections of the borderwire andthe frame above the second pair of extremities 16 of the frame. In other words, the second plurality of spring members 52 are disposed along the ends of the frame. The fishmouth formation of the second plurality of spring members 52 are the same as that shown in FIG. 6. It will be noted that the second spring members have a central straight wire portion which extends along and in parallel relationship to the end portions of the border wire and interconnect two fishmouth sections.

There is also included a plurality of spaced integral straight wires 54 which terminate in bent end portions 56 connected to the end sections of the border wire by clips. The integral straight wires 54 extend longitudinally of the assembly and are woven through the load-bearing straight sections of the transversely extending wire members 22. In other words, the straight wire members 54 extend over the load-bearing straight sections of one wire member 22 and then under the straight load-bearing section of the next wire member 22, and so on. The straight wire members 54 are clipped by clips 57 to the wire members 22.

As alluded to above, the border has arcuate corners and a comer spring, as generally indicated at 60 in FIG. 4, is disposed between the border wire and the frame at each corner. Each corner spring 60 is arcuate as viewed in plan in FIG. 1 to conform to the adjacent arcuate corner of the border wire. Each comer spring, as viewed in elevation, includes horizontally extending portions 62 and 64 which are connected to the border frame 50 and the frame members respectively. A V-shaped portion 66 interconnects the horizontally extending portions 62 and 64. The upper horizontally extending portion 62 is clipped to the border frame by the clips 68 and the lower horizontally extending portion 64 is stapled to the wood frame members M and 16.

The longitudinally extending straight wire members 54 and the various clips comprise means interconnecting the transversely extending spring members 22.

It will be noted that a plurality of spring wire members 22 may be fabricated and used to make box spring assemblies of various different widths merely by varying the amount of overlap of each pair of spring wire members 22.

It will be understood that auxiliary spring members may be disposed throughout the assembly for additional support if necessary in particular applications of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which I claim an exclusive property or privilege are defined as follows:

ll. A box spring assembly comprising; a frame having two pair of opposite and generally parallel extremities, a plurality of spring members, each of said spring members defined byan integral wire having a straight section and a fishmouth section at at least one end thereof, a plurality of said spring members disposed between a first pair of said extremities of said frame with the straight sections thereof generally perpendicular to said first pair of extremities, said spring members being spaced from one another in both the direction perpendicular to and the direction parallel to said first pair of extremities so that each straight section extends a part of the distance between said first pair of extremities, and means interconnecting said spring members, each fishmouth section including a generally U-shaped portion having upper and lower legs and extending downwardly from the end of said straight portion, a V-shaped portion having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacer bar being integrally connected to said lower leg, said wire extends from said lower spacer and into means attached to said frame, said upper leg being shorter than said lower leg, each spring member including one of said fishmouth sections at each extremity thereof.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim ll wherein each of said straight sections is disposed adjacent to and in partially overlapping relationship with at least one other straight section.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said fishmouth sections is disposed at each end of each of said straight sections.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said straight sections of at least two spring members overlap one another in the direction generally perpendicular to said first pair of extremities to define a pair of overlapping spring members.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 including a plurality of said pairs of overlapping spring members spaced from one another in the direction parallel to said first pair of extremities and between the second pair of extremities.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein one of said fishmouth sections of each of said overlapping spring members is disposed adjacent one of said first pair of extremities and the other fishmouth section thereof is disposed intermediate said first pair of extremities.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 including a border wire spaced from said frame and attached to the fishmouth sections disposed adjacent said first pair of extremities.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said border wire includes end sections extending above and along said second pair of extremities of said frame, and a second plurality of spring members including at least one of said fishmouth sections disposed between said border wire and said frame along said second pair of extremities of said frame.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 including a plurality of spaced integral straight wires terminating in bent end portions connected to said end portions of said border wire.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a border wire spaced from said frame and extending along said extremities thereof, said border wire having arcuate corners, a corner spring disposed between said border wire and said frame at each corner, each corner spring being arcuate as viewed in plan to conform to the adjacent arcuate corner of said border wire, each comer spring as viewed in elevation including horizontally extending portions connected to said frame and said border wire respectively with a V-shaped portion interconnecting said horizontally extending portions.

ll. A box spring assembly comprising: a generally rectangular frame; a first plurality of spring members extending transversely between the sides of said frame and spaced from one another longitudinally of said frame; each of said spring members defined by an integral wire having a straight load section and a fishmouth section at each end thereof; each of said fishmouth sections including a generally U-shaped portion having upper and lower legs and extending downwardly from the end of said straight portion, said upper leg being shorter than said lower leg, a V-shaped portion having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacerbar being connected to said lower leg, said wire extending from said lower spacer bar and being formed into means attached to said frame; a pair of said spring members being juxtaposed in overlapping relationship transversely of said frame so that a fishmouth section of each spring member is disposed adjacent one side of said frame with the other fishmouth section disposed intermediate said sides of said frame; a generally rectangular border wire spaced from said frame and connected to said upper legs of said fishmouth sections disposed adjacent said sides of said frame; a second plurality of spring members including at least one of said fishmouth sections disposedbetween said frame and said border wire along the ends of said frame; at least one integral straight wire extending longitudinally of said assembly and terminating in bent end portions connected to said border wire, said straight wire being woven through said load sections of said transversely extending members; said border wire including arcuate corners; and a corner spring disposed between said border wire and said frame of each corner, each corner spring being arcuate as viewed in plan to conform to an arcuate corner of said border wire, each corner spring as viewed in elevation including horizontally extending portions connected to said frame and said border wire respectively with a V- shaped portion interconnecting said horizontally extending portions. 

1. A box spring assembly comprising; a frame having two pair of opposite and generally parallel extremities, a plurality of spring members, each of said spring members defined by an integral wire having a straight section and a fishmouth section at at least one end thereof, a plurality of said spring members disposed between a first pair of said extremities of said frame with the straight sections thereof generally perpendicular to said first pair of extremities, said spring members being spaced from one another in both the direction perpendicular to and the direction parallel to said first pair of extremities so that each straight section extends a part of the distance between said first pair of extremities, and means interconnecting said spring members, each fishmouth section including a generally U-shaped portion having upper and lower legs and extending downwardly from the end of said straight portion, a V-shaped portion having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacer bar being integrally connected to said lower leg, said wire extends from said lower spacer and into means attached to said frame, said upper leg being shorter than said lower leg, each spring member including one of said fishmouth sections at each extremity thereof.
 2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said straight sections is disposed adjacent to and in partially overlapping relationship with at least one other straight section.
 3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said fishmouth sections is disposed at each end of each of said straight sections.
 4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said straight sections of at least two spring members overlap one another in the direction generally perpendicular to said first pair of extremities to define a pair of overlapping spring members.
 5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 including a plurality of said pairs of overlapping spring members spaced from one another in the direction parallel to said first pair of extremities and between the second pair of extremities.
 6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein one of said fishmouth sections of each of said overlapping spring members is disposed adjacent one of said first pair of extremities and the other fishmouth section thereof is disposed intermediate said first pair of extremities.
 7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 including a border wire spaced from said frame and attached to the fishmouth sections disposed adjacent said first pair of extremities.
 8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said border wire includes end sections extending above and along said second pair of extremities of said frame, and a second plurality of spring members including at least one of said fishmouth sections disposed between said border wire and said frame along said second pair of extremities of said frame.
 9. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 including a plurality of spaced integral straight wires terminating in bent end portions connected to said end portions of said border wire.
 10. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a border wire spaced from said frame and extending along said extremities thereof, said border wire having arcuate corners, a corner spring disposed between said border wire and said frame at each corner, each corner spring being arcuate as viewed in plan to conform to the adjacent arcuate corner of said border wire, each corner spring as viewed in elevation including horizontally extending portions connected to said frame and said border wire respectively with a V-shaped portion interconnecting said horizontally extending portions.
 11. A box spring assembly comprising: a generally rectangular frame; a first plurality of spring members extending transversely between the sides of said frame and spaced from one another longitudinally of said frame; each of said spring members defined by an integral wire having a straight load section and a fishmouth section at each end thereof; each of said fishmouth sections including a generally U-shaped portion having upper and lower legs and extending downwardly from the end of said straight portion, said upper leg being shorter than said lower leg, a V-shaped portion having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacer bar being connected to said lower leg, said wire extending from said lower spacer bar and being formed into means attached to said frame; a pair of said spring members being juxtaposed in overlapping relationship transversely of said frame so that a fishmouth section of each spring member is disposed adjacent one side of said frame with the other fishmouth section disposed intermediate said sides of said frame; a generally rectangular border wire spaced from said frame and connecteD to said upper legs of said fishmouth sections disposed adjacent said sides of said frame; a second plurality of spring members including at least one of said fishmouth sections disposed between said frame and said border wire along the ends of said frame; at least one integral straight wire extending longitudinally of said assembly and terminating in bent end portions connected to said border wire, said straight wire being woven through said load sections of said transversely extending members; said border wire including arcuate corners; and a corner spring disposed between said border wire and said frame of each corner, each corner spring being arcuate as viewed in plan to conform to an arcuate corner of said border wire, each corner spring as viewed in elevation including horizontally extending portions connected to said frame and said border wire respectively with a V-shaped portion interconnecting said horizontally extending portions. 